'I planned it all': Glen Campbell on cocaine, God, and working with Sinatra

The legendary country star Glen Campbell has died aged 81. Nearly a decade ago and ahead of a UK tour, the musician discussed his personal woes and professional career in a wide-ranging conversation with The Telegraph for this feature, first published in October 2008.

The cocaine addiction, the alcoholism, the disastrous marriages - put it to Glen Campbell that he has had his problems over the years, and he fixes you with a look of surprise. "No, not at all." He pauses, then bursts out laughing: "I planned it all."

It was some plan.

In a career stretching back more than 40 years, Glen Campbell has sold around 50 million records and had 27 top 10 hits, but it is 20 years since a Campbell album bothered the charts, four since he recorded his last studio album - a collection of devotional songs that even he has difficulty remembering.

Campbell is photographed ahead of his UK tour in 2008Credit:
David Rose for The Telegraph